SAN DIEGO — Summer vacation is winding down, and a new school year will soon commence.
“The beginning of the school year is always an exciting time for families, for students, for teachers, for principals,” said Diocesan Superintendent Leticia Oseguera. “It’s bringing life back to the campus.”
More than 15,000 students from preschool through 12th grade are expected to attend local Catholic schools during the 2026-2027 academic year. This includes about 1,000 preschoolers; 9,300 elementary school students; and 4,800 high school students.
Across the San Diego Diocese, Catholic elementary schools will be holding their first day of class between Aug. 11 and 26, with Mater Dei Catholic Elementary School in Chula Vista being the first and Holy Trinity School in El Cajon being the last to return. On Aug. 19, at least 22 schools are scheduled to begin classes.
The first day of class for Catholic high school students will be Aug. 10 at Mater Dei Catholic High School, Aug. 11 at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Cathedral Catholic High School and Vincent Memorial Catholic High School, and Aug. 17 at both Cristo Rey San Diego and St. Augustine high schools.
At eight schools, returning students will encounter new principals: Brooke Brundy, St. Mary’s School, El Centro; Tina Demarchi, Holy Trinity School, El Cajon; Amber Wilson, St. Martin of Tours Academy, La Mesa; Paige Villalobos, St. Therese Academy, Del Cerro; Josh Englund, St. John School, Encinitas; Karen Shannahan, St. Mary Star of the Sea School, Oceanside; Sister Susana del Toro-Vargas, SJS, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, San Ysidro; and Sara Odioso, Cristo Rey San Diego High School.
Over the summer, the diocesan Office for Schools also said farewell to Elijah Bonde, who was associate superintendent since July 2023. He left June 30 to become president of Nativity Prep Academy, where he previously served from 2008 to 2013. His most recent assignment there was as vice president for institutional advancement.
Describing Bonde as a “very valuable member of our team,” Oseguera said, “We are definitely sad to see him go, but I am also very happy for him … He’ll make a huge impact for that school community, and we’re happy that he continues to be part of our Catholic school family.”
This summer, the Schools Office continues its tradition of offering professional learning for pastors, principals and teachers.
Six local pastors – Fathers Jun Cinco, Ignatius Dibeashi, Ricardo Juarez, Brent Kruger, Bernardo Lara and Roldan Nuñez – participated in the School Pastors’ Institute, a four-day leadership formation symposium offered by the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education. The conference, held from June 15 to 18, examined the role of a pastor in a parish school and shared best practices.
The Schools Office itself hosted a New Pastor-Principal Meeting on July 21 for those who will be members of a new partnership this year, whether that’s because a new pastor has been assigned to a parish, a new principal has been hired for a school, or both the pastor and principal are new this year.
A Leadership Summit will be held Aug. 3 to 4 at Cathedral Catholic High School. Principals will attend both days, with school presidents and vice principals also welcome on the first day and school pastors on the second day.
On Day One, speakers will address topics like building a school brand, increasing enrollment and cultivating alumni relationships.
The second day will include the presentation of short- and long-term goals set by the Task Force for Schools, which was established last year by Bishop Michael Pham, and inspired by feedback received at synodal listening sessions. Oseguera said that the 12 short-term goals are to be accomplished by the end of the new school year.
The annual “Faith & Science” Conference, a collaboration between the Schools Office and the diocesan Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry, will be held Aug. 6. This year’s conference will be a field trip to “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience” at the Christ Cathedral Cultural Center in Garden Grove.
Open to all teachers, the event is especially recommended for religion and science teachers. Each school is required to send at least one representative.
The diocese introduced the Magis Center’s faith-and-science curriculum into its elementary schools and parish religious-education programs in the fall of 2021. That curriculum was developed by Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer in response to statistics showing that 42% of young people lose their faith before age 25, almost half of them because they mistakenly believe that science and religion are incompatible.
First-year teachers, as well as experienced teachers new to Catholic schools, will meet six times as part of the Institute for Novice Teachers, a program that provides professional learning and support. Their first session will be Aug. 12, and their last will be on May 5, 2027.
Associate Superintendent Elizabeth Kramer said that between 35 and 50 teachers participate in the program each year. Last year, she said, they had 43.
New Catholic school principals will also take part in a yearlong support program sponsored by the Schools Office in partnership with the University of San Diego. From Aug. 27 to May 11, 2027, they will meet monthly to cover various topics related to their new role.
Oseguera said that the meeting locations will rotate among each of the principals’ campuses, enabling them to see other Catholic schools and to solicit feedback from one another.
